What does Taiwanese leader William Lai’s rare ‘mainland China’ reference mean?
South China Morning Post
by Amber Wang,Lawrence ChungFebruary 27, 2026
Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te’s rare reference to “mainland China” signals caution ahead of a highly anticipated Xi-Trump summit, according to analysts who say it is premature to declare a shift in his cross-strait policy.
Addressing a group of Taiwanese businesspeople operating on the mainland on Tuesday, Lai used the term “mainland China” multiple times, contrasting with his frequent use of “China” in major speeches since his 2024 inauguration as the self-ruled island’s leader.
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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 2/27/2026